Permutation-lock.



E. RAQUAINTANGE.

PERMUTATION LOCK. APPLICATION FILED 1111.4. 1911.

1,01 '7,3 1 3. Patented Feb. 13, 1912..

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' APPLICATION FILED IANA, 1911. v l 1,017,313, V Patented Feb. 13,1912.

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witnesses l w@ I f/ i E. E. QUAINTANGE.

l PERMUTATION LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED IANA. 1911.

1,017,3 13. 4 Patented Feb.'13,191 2.

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ELLSWORTI-I E. QUAINTANCE, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

PERMUTATION-LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led January 4, 1911.

Patented Feb. 13, 1912. serial No. 600,839.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ELLswoRTH E. QUAINTANCE, a citizen of the United States, residingin the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Permutation-Locks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make'and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in permutation locks.

In the drawing my improved lock is illustrated as a padlock, or a lock adapted to be employed as a handcuff. In the handcu' form a shackle is employed similar to a parllock, but the shackle is adjustable to adapt. it for use with persons having hands of varying size.

In my improved construction of lock I employ a tubular cylinder in which is located what I term a pallet, consisting of a plate which is laterally movable into and out of engagement with recesses formed in tumblers rotatably mounted upon the cylinder, the construction being such that when the combination is solved the open slots of all the tumblers are in longitudinal alinement and in position to allow the pallet to be moved into engagement with the slots, one edge of the pallet entering the alined slots of all the tumblers. This movement of the pallet is sulicient to bring the recess in one of its extremities into alinement with the opening in the end of the cylinder and loc-k casing, whereby the shackle may be disengaged from the pallet. In order t'o move the pallet into position to retain the shackle, it is only necessary to move it laterally sufliciently to disengage it from the recesses of the tumblers, after which the movement of one of these tumblers will throw its open slot out of line with the slots of the other tumblers, thus retaining the pallet in such position. In this event the recess in the end of the pallet is out of alinement with the opening in the cylinder and lock casing, and the adjacent part of the pallet is caused to enter a notch in the end of the shackle, thus preventing the withdrawal of the latter :from the lock casing.

My improved construction also includes caps adapted to lit over the opposite extremities of the cylinder, which protrude beyond the tumbler portion of t-he lock. These caps are secured against removal when the shackle is iny the locking position. When, however, the shackle is unlocked either vcap may be disengaged from the cylinder. The cap at the extremity of the lock which the free end of the shackle enters may be disengaged from the cylinder by giving it a partial turn, whereby a spring located within the adjacent extremity of the cylinder is disengaged from a recess in the cap. The latter may then be removed from the cylinder by a pull in a direction corresponding with the axis of the lock. On the contrary the opposite cap cannot be disengaged from the cylinder until the shackle is thrown open far enough to allow the cap as it is slipped from the cylinder, to move outwardly into a position whereby the shackle is threaded therethrough, the cap having an opening for the purpose. When this is done the pivot pin which retains the shackle in place, and both extremities of which are normally concealed by the cap, may bel removed for the purpose of detaching the shackle from the lock.

The tumblers are exteriorly provided with characters, as numerals, which occupy positions corresponding to the various recesses or slots of the tumbler members having a series of such recesses, and each tumbler may have its parts so assembled that its open slot or recess may be directly opposite any ligure formed on the exterior shell of the tumbler from l to 0. Itmay be mentioned, however, that instead of using the zero character I prefer to form a slight protuberance upon the tumbler for convenience in operating the lock inthe dark, since this protuberance being located in the zero position enables the operator to know how far to turn the tumbler in order to bring the desired character thereon into the proper position to solve the combination, as each movement of the tumbler for a distance equal to the space between two figures or characters, is attended by an audible click and by counting these clicks the operator will know when the proper numeral is brought into the desired position.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made t0 the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing: Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved lock. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, the parts being shown on a larger scale, the pallet being shown in position to lock the shackle against withdrawal. Fig. 3 is a section taken at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. l is a section similar to Fig. 2, but showing the pallet in the unlocked position. Fig. 5 is an end detail elevation of the pallet shown in connection with the disk to which it is attached. Fig. G is a section taken on the line 6 7, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a section taken on the same line, but showing the pallet in the unlocked position. Fig. 8 is a detail view ot the exterior shell ot one of the tumblers. Fig. 9 is a similar view of one ot the tumbler members containing a series of radially arranged recesses. Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a tumbler member shown in two positions. This is the member which is located intermediate two members identical with Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detail View of a click springl employed in connection with the lock. Fig. 12 is a detail view ot a stop ring constituting a tumbler member. Fig. 13 is a similar view of an open spring ring also constituting a part ot each tumbler. Fig. 14C is an end elevation ot the lock, looking in the direction of arrow 14;, Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 1, the shackle, however, being shown in two positions, one in full lines and the other in dotted line. In the full line position the shackle is open to its limit of movement. Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the cylinder shown in connection with the pallet, the latter being illustrated in side elevation. Fig. 17 is an end elevation of the same, being a view looking in the direction ot' arrow 17, Fig. 1G. Fig. 18 is an end elevation of one ot the tumblers, looking in the direction o1' arrow 18, Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a section taken on a plane cutting the axis of a tumbler, or a view on the line 19-19, Fig. 18.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the lcylinder or hollow spindle of my improved lock, in which is located the pallet 6 which consists ot a flat plate having projections 7 at one extremity, which protrude through the shell ot' the cylinder and enter recesses 8 formed in a disk 9 having an elongated opening 10 through which the cylinder passes, the said opening in its lengthwise direction being enough larger than the diameter of the cy]- inder to allow the disk and pallet sutlicient lateral movement tor locking and unlocking the shackle 12, one extremity of which is pivotally connected with the extremity 13 of the cylinder beyond the pallet disk 9 by a pin 15. Vhen the parts are assembled a cap 14 engages the extremity' 13 of the cylinder, lits closely against the pallet disk 9 and conceals both extremities of the pin 15, to prevent tampering with the lock by the removal of the pin when the shackle is in the locked position. This cap 1-1 is, of course, hollow to receive the cylinder extremity and it is slotted as shown at 1G, trom its liange 17, and extending to the center ot the outer extremity thereof to allow the shackle to be moved to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 15, to allow the cap to be disengaged trom the cylinder while the shackle is still connected therewith by the pin 15. The opposite extremity of the shackle, or that adapted to interlock with the pallet, is provided with a series of recesses 18. This extremity is adapted to enter registering openings 19 and 20 formed in opposite sides of an end cap 21 and the adjacent extremity 22 of the cylinder. The extremity 3 of the pallet is adapted to interlock with either recess 18 of the shackle tor the purpose of preventing the withdrawal ot the latter or retaining it in the locked position.

The tumblers, each of which will be designated in its entirety by the numeral 23, as illustrated in the drawing are tour in number, the same being mounted on the cylinder 5 between the vFlange 24 of the cylinder cap 21 and the pallet disk 9, located at the opposite extremity of the cylinder and in contact with the flange ot the adjacent cylinder cap 14. Fiachot these tumblers is composed of two members 25, an intermediate member 26, an open ring 27 and a continuous ring 28, the members 25, 25, 26, 27 and 28 all being inserted in a shell 29. Each of the members is provided with a series of radially arranged recesses 80, preferably corresponding in number with the numerals from 1 to 9, plus one tor the zero character, or ten recesses in all, the said characters being placed upon the shell and exteriorly exposed directly opposite the respective recesses 30 or on radial lines passing centrally through the recesses. Instead ot the Zero character a slight protuberance 31 is formed on the shell to aid the operator in manipulating the tumblers in the dark for the purpose of solving the combination. This enables him to ascertain by feeling, where the Zero character would be located it it were employed, thus giving him a starting point from which he can ascertain by moving the tumbler in either direction, when he has brought the desired numeral into the proper position tor solving the combination, since every time a tumbler is moved a distance equal. to that between two of the recesses 30, a distinct click is heard, due to the insertion of a spring 32 in the cylinder where it is surrounded by each tumbler, the said spring having an abrupt Cfr bend 33 protruding slightly through a slot 34 formed in the cylinder 5 and adapted to spring with a click into each recess 30 of the tumbler as the recess passes the'bend 33, the click being due to the fact that the spring is first pressed inwardly and as soon as the slot 34 comes into register with a recess 30, the bend 33 moves outwardly thereinto. As illustrated in the drawing this spring 32 is of sufficient width to engage the recesses of both members 25 of the tumbler, the recesses 30 of both members 25 being always in alinement.

Between the two tumbler members 25 is located the ring member 26 having a single recess 36. The location of this ring in each tumbler determines the character upon the outer surface of the shell which enters into.

or identifies the combination. For instance, when the ring 26 is placed in position the recess 36 may be placed in alinement with any pair of recesses 30 belonging to the two members 25. If it is desired to set the tumbler so that the numeral 5 shall form one of the characters to indicate the combination, the recess 36 is placed in alinement with the two recesses 30 of the members 25 directly opposite or in radial arrangement with the numeral 5 on the exterior surface of the tumbler shell. Then when the tumbler is turned to the proper position upon the cylinder, namely to such position that the three registering recesses 30, 36 and 30, shall be directly in alinement with the edge 37 of the pallet and a slot 4 of the cylinder or hollow spindle through which the adjacent edge of the pallet protrudes when moved into position to unlock the shackle, this tumbler is properly adjusted for solving the combination. If desired each of the other tumblers may have their members so assembled as that the numeral 5 may constitute the combination number of all the tumblers and if so, when the tumblers are so arranged that the four 5s are in alinement with the edge 37 of the pallet, thecombination is solved and the pallet may be 'actuated or moved laterally to cause its edge 37 to pass through the slot 4 of the hollow spindle and enter the alined recesses 36 and 30 of all the tumblers, thus releasing -the shackle and allowing it to be swung upon its pivot pin 15. Of course the members of each tumbler may be so arranged in the shell as to make any numeral or the protuberance 31, corresponding with the zero character, an element of the combination. When a protuberance 31 is employed in this capacity the Zero character is used to designate it in expressing the combination.

The ring 26 of each tumbler is provided with studs 38 projecting from opposite sides thereof and adapted to enter recesses 30 of the two members 25 when the parts are assembled, whereby the relative arrangement in the shell of the latter at one extremity thereof and forms a stop which is engaged by the adjacent tumbler member 25 when the parts of the tumbler are assembled. In other words, this ring 28 prevents the removable tumbler members from being crowded through the shell of the tumbler during the operation of assembling, and prevents the said tumbler members from moving out of the shell in the direction of the said ring. The opposite extremity of the shell adjacent the other member 25 is occupied by the divided or open expansion ring 27, whose tension is such as to retain it securely in place. It is, however, readily removable by design in order to detach the tumbler members 25 and 26 for the purpose of changing the combination.

The cylinder cap 21 when the parts are assembled, is locked against endwise movement upon the cylinder by a spring 52 located inthe cylinder and substantially identical with the spring 32 illustrated in Fig. 11 and heretofore described, the abrupt bend 53 of the spring 52 passing througha slot 39 formed in the adjacent extremity of the cylinder and entering a shallow registering recess 40'formed in the adjacent part of t-he inner surface of the cap (see Figs. 2 and When the cap is rotatably adjusted to bringv its recess 40 into alinement with the slot 39 of the cylinder, the bend 53 of the spring enters the said recess and locks the cap in the proper assembled relation with the other parts so that the recessed extremity of the shackle may enter the respective openings 19 and 20 of the cap and cylinder.

If it is desired to remove the cap 21 after the shackle extremity is disengaged therefrom, it is only necessary to first give the cap a partial rotary movement, sufficient to disengage the bend 53 of the spring from the shallow recess 40. v The cap may then be detached from the cylinder by an endwise movement in an outward direction. Then this is done the tumblers may be successively detached from the cylinder for any purpose, as for changing the combination of the lock, for purposes of repair or the renewal of parts.

In order to retain the members 25 of each tumbler 23 in their proper relative position within the shell, each of the members 25 is provided with an exteriorly projecting rib 41 adapted to enter a groove 42 lformed in the shell 29 of the tumbler, where the protuberance 31 is located. The projections 41 readily slide into the grooves 42 when as sembling the tumbler members, and after once they are in place the tumbler members can have no rotary movement independently of the shell with which they are connected. This is, ot course, essential, since the relative arrangei'nent ot the characters upon the exterior'surt'ace of the shell with reference t-o the respective recesses 30 must be constant, for reasons that will be readily understood.

Attention is called to the tact that in the drawing the cylinder caps 14 and 21 are formed square in cross section, and when they are in place or when the parts ot the lock are assembled, two of the corners oft the caps are in longitudinal alinement with the slot -l in the hollow spindle and the edge 37 ot the pallet. This being` the case, the person who solves the combination must bring the characters which identity the same into alinement with each other and also with two ot the alined corners ot the cylinder caps. The mechanism is so arranged that these two alined corners are in a plane cutting the case ot the lock at right angles to the plane in which the pallet is located, the location ot the numbers defining the combination when the latter is solved being also upon the front or near side of the lock when the latter is held with the pivotal extremity of the shackle toward the right.

Attention is called to the fact that the movement ot the pallet is accomplished by pressing upon the protruding portions ot the disk 9. For instance, when the tumblers are in position to solve the combination, the disk is pressed to cause the pallet to move outwardly through the slot il and into the recesses 30 and 36 ot the tumbler members, while when it is desired to return the pallet to its position within the hollow spindle, the disk 9 is pressed to move the same in the opposite direction.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:

l. The combination with a hollow spindle provided with a longitudinal Lminterrupted slot, a pallet laterally movable within the spindle and having a straight uninterrupted edge adapted to entirely enter the said slot, a shackle connectedl at one extremity with the spindle, its opposite extremity being adapted to enter the spindle, permutation devices rotatably mounted on the spindle and having recesses adapted to be brought int-o alinement and register with the slot in the spindle, the said alined recesses ot the permutation devices being adapted to receive the edge ot the pallet to permit the pallet to tall out o't interlocking relation with the shackle, substantially as described.

2. In a permutation lock, the combination with a hollow spindle, of a pallet laterally movable therein, a permutation device rotatably mounted on the spindle and having recesses, the hollow spindle being provided with a longitudinal uninterrupted slot adapted to receive one entire edge of the pallet, the permutation device being provided with recesses adapted to be brought into register with the slot in the spindle, the said recesses ot the. permutation device being adapted to receive the edge of the pallet when the latter is passed through the slot ot the spindle, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with ahollow spindle, of a pallet laterally movable therein, a permutation device mounted on the spindle for controlling the lateral movement ot the said pallet, and click springs located in the said spindle and having an abrupt outward bend intermediate their extremities protruding through the slots formed in the shell of the spindle and adapted to be engaged by the rec-esses ot the per-imitation devices, tor the purposeset forth.

4. The combination with ahollow spindle, ot a. pallet laterally movable therein, permutation devices mounted on the spindle and adjustable to control the lateral move ment of the pallet, the opposite extremities of t-he spindle protruding beyond the permutation device, removable caps applied to the protruding extremities ot the spindle, and a shackle pivotally connected with one protruding extremity ot the spindle, the cap concealing the pivot ot the shackle, the said cap being slotted on its flange and end to receive the shacklel and allow it to open wide enough to permit the removal of the cap `trom the spindle to the shackle, substantially as described.

n a permutation lock, the combination with a hollow cylinder or spindle, of a pallet` located therein and extending longitudinally thereof and laterally movable therein, a permutation device mounted on the cylinder and adjustable to control the lateral movement of the pallet, the pallet having projections at one extremity protruding through the shell of the spindle, and a member having an elongated opening through which the spindle passes, the projections ot the pallet being engaged by the said member, the elongated opening in the member being ot su'l'licient size to permit of lateral movement upon the spindle, where by the said member may be moved and cause the pallet` to be carried therewith, substantially as described.

6. A permutation device including a pallet member, a number of rings surrounding the pall-et member and having a plurality of recesses, a ring interposed between the ring with a plurality of recesses and provided with a single recess adjustable to register with any recess of the first-named rings, and means for holding the rings in position in operative relation with the pallet member, tor the purpose set forth.

7 A tumbler or permutation device including a shell, a tumbler member comprising a ring having a series of recesses, and a. second ring having a single recess and adjustable to register with any recess of the first named ring, the said rings being located within the shell, the latter having eX- posed characters arranged thereon in alinement with the recesses of the rings, for the purpose set forth,

8. A tumbler comprising a shell, a tumbler member consisting of a ring having a series of radially arranged recesses communicating with the opening in the ring, and a second ring having a single recess and provided with pins adapted to enter recesses in the first named ring when the recess of the second ring is in alinement with any recess of the first named ring, the said rings being located in the shell, but removable therefrom, the first named ring being connected with the shell to prevent independent rotary movement when the parts are assembled, substantially as described.

9. A tumbler comprising a shell, two tumbler members consisting of rings each having a series of radially arranged recesses communicating with the central opening of the ring, and a third ringinterposed between the first named rings and having a single recess adapted to register with any two alined recesses of the first named rings, the intermediate ring being adjustable with reference to the other rings and being constructed to close all of the recesses of both of the irst named rings except those in alinement with its own recess, substantially as described.

l0. A tumbler or permutation device comprising a cylindrical shell, a ring xed in one extremity thereof, a removable spring ring located in the opposite extremity thereof, tumbler members located within the shell between the said rings and comprising two flat rings each having a series of radially arranged recesses equi-distantly spaced, the recesses of the one ring being arranged to register with the recesses of the other ring, a third ring interposed between t-he iirst named rings and having a single recess adapted to register with any two alined recesses of the first named rings, and means for maintaining the third ring in the desired relation with the other rings, the three rings being removable from the shell, and the rings provided with the series of recesses being interlocked with the shell to prevent independent rotation, substantially as described.

11. The combination of a hollow spindle, a pallet extending longitudinally thereof and laterally movable therein, permutation devices rotatably mounted on the spindle for controlling the lateral movement of the pallet, and click springs located in the spindle and having abrupt outward bends protruding thro-ugh slots formed in the spindle, the tumblers having interior recesses adapted to engage the said springs, for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination of a hollow spindle, tumblers rotatably vmounted thereon and having recesses leading outwardly from the spindle, and click springs located in the spindle and having abrupt outward bends protruding through slots in the shell of the spindle and adapted to engage the recesses of the tumblers as the latter are rotated, substantially as described' In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELLSWORTH E. QUAINTANOE.

Witnesses:

F. E. BOWEN, A. EBERT OBRIEN.

Qopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

